CRESTVIEW — It was more of a family reunion than a reception for a favorite patient’s kin at North Okaloosa Medical Center's Andrews Institute.

Wednesday afternoon, unit staff, hospital and institute administrators gathered to express gratitude for a $13,000 gift from Crestview resident John Averett Sr. and his children. Their donation was on behalf of Averett’s late wife, Marguerite Wallace McClure Averett.

As physical therapists showed them the new equipment procured with the donation, the Averetts presented gifts of a coffee the staff likes.

They also had another gift.

John Averett handed unit director Carol Richards an envelope with a $15,000 check.